Election 2014: Hutchinson Unveils Plan To Aid Veterans

LITTLE ROCK — Republican candidate for governor Asa Hutchinson on Tuesday unveiled a set of proposals he said would make Arkansas a more "veteran-friendly" state.

LITTLE ROCK — Republican candidate for governor Asa Hutchinson on Tuesday unveiled a set of proposals he said would make Arkansas a more "veteran-friendly" state.

"Recognizing the service veterans have given to our state and nation is essential, but we cannot ignore the contributions that they are prepared to make to our workforce and economy," Hutchinson stated in a news release.

"Therefore, I am announcing my commitment to work with the legislature to make Arkansas a veteran-friendly state by providing more affordable access to educational opportunities for veterans, providing better care for our veterans and by implementing tax relief for all Arkansans, including veterans," he said.

The former 3rd District congressman said his plan includes allowing returning veterans who have not established residency in Arkansas to pay in-state tuition at public colleges and universities. He said this would create another incentive for military personnel from Arkansas return to the state and possibly make it their permanent home.

A spokesman for Hutchinson’s Democratic opponent, former 4th District congressman Mike Ross, said Tuesday the change would be unnecessary because of recent congressional action.

"(Hutchinson) is so out-of-touch with veterans’ issues that he doesn’t know Congress has already passed a law allowing veterans and their dependents to receive in-state status at all public colleges and universities in the United States," Ross spokesman Brad Howard said in a statement.

Hutchinson spokesman Christian Olson responded, "It is inaccurate to say that we aren’t aware of the federal law that was signed last week. That law penalizes schools that don’t offer in-state tuition to veterans, but still ultimately leaves the decision up to the school. That’s why Asa’s plan to require Arkansas schools to offer in-state tuition is still needed."

Hutchinson also said he would work with the Veterans Coalition, veterans’ service organizations and the legislature to identify additional regions for veterans’ treatment courts and to increase available funding. He did not name a specific funding amount he would seek.

Also, Hutchinson said his previously announced plan to phase in reductions to the state income tax would benefit veterans. He said Arkansas is one of only a few states that have experienced a reduction in military retirees entering the state and noted that other states in the region provide a specific tax exemption for military retirement income.

Howard said Tuesday that Hutchinson’s news release was "vague" and that it fell short of the strong support and bold leadership Arkansas veterans deserve.

"Congressman Hutchinson has also repeatedly voted to slash veterans’ benefits and against increased funding for veterans’ health care, and was one of only 61 House members who refused to give up pork-barrel projects to fund quality of life improvements for our troops. His irresponsible voting record against veterans is just more proof that Congressman Hutchinson is out of touch with Arkansas’ veterans," Howard said.